A novel ultrasonographic assisted technique for desmotomy of the palmar/plantar annular ligament in horses.
Abstract: To describe an ultrasound assisted technique for desmotomy of the palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL), determine its efficacy and intraoperative complications. Methods: Cadaveric and in vivo study. Methods: Cadaveric limbs (n = 12), adult horses (n = 4), and clinical cases (n = 2). Methods: Ultrasound assisted desmotomy of the palmar/plantar annular ligament (UAD-PAL) was performed in cadaveric limbs and in standing horses with the operated limb placed in a distal limb splint. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia and was followed by tenoscopic examination in 2 clinical cases. A hook knife was developed for the procedure. Complete transection was assessed by postmortem dissection (10 forelimbs, 10 hindlimbs) and tenoscopic examination (1 forelimb, 1 hindlimb). Thickness of PAL, surgery time, other intraoperative parameters and complications associated with the procedure were recorded. Results: Complete PAL transection was accomplished in 20/22 limbs. No iatrogenic damage to adjacent intrathecal structures was identified in any case. The instrument was correctly positioned on the first attempt in 19/22 cases. The most common intraoperative complication was inadvertent subcutaneous placement of the instrument (n = 2). Significant thickening of the PAL (3 mm) was present in 1/2 limbs in which complete transection was not achieved. Conclusions: UAD-PAL with the custom-made hook knife was effective at transecting the PAL with minimal intraoperative complications. The procedure can be performed in standing sedated horses. Another method should be considered in horses with thickened PAL.
© 2017 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2017-02-10 PubMed ID: 28186643DOI: 10.1111/vsu.12630Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research discusses a new method aided by ultrasound for performing desmotomy of the palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL), a common surgery in horses. The technique’s efficiency was tested alongside potential complications during the operation.
Methodology
- The experiment was carried out in both cadaveric limbs and live horses.
- The surgical procedure was performed on standing horses with the limb to be operated in a distal limb splint.
- In two clinical cases, the procedure was also followed by a tenoscopic examination.
- A custom-made hook knife was developed and used for the procedure.
- The success of the procedure was evaluated based on whether it completely cut the PAL, investigated through post-mortem dissection and tenoscopic examination.
- Various factors were recorded during the procedure, including the thickness of the PAL, time taken for the surgery, and any complications that arose.
Results
- The PAL was completely transected in 20 out of 22 operations.
- No harm was done to the structures adjacent to the intrathecal space during the procedure.
- In 19 out of 22 cases, the instrument was properly placed on the first try.
- The most common complication during the operation was mistakenly placing the instrument under the skin.
- In one case where the desmotomy wasn’t completely successful, a significant thickening of the PAL was noted.
Conclusions
- The research concludes that the ultrasound-assisted technique was effective in most cases, with minimal complications.
- This technique can be carried out on horses when they are standing and sedated.
- However, for horses with a noticeably thick PAL, an alternative method should be considered.
Cite This Article
APA
Espinosa P, Nieto JE, Snyder JR, Galuppo LD, Katzman SA.
(2017).
A novel ultrasonographic assisted technique for desmotomy of the palmar/plantar annular ligament in horses.
Vet Surg, 46(5), 611-620.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.12630 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, California.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.
- Circle Oak Equine, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Petaluma, California.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Forelimb / surgery
- Hindlimb / surgery
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Ligaments / surgery
- Retrospective Studies
- Surgical Procedures, Operative / methods
- Surgical Procedures, Operative / veterinary
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Beggan CP, Panizzi L, Oliver LJ. Efficacy of needle and endoscopic lavage on the recuperation of microspheres from the adult equine metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint and digital flexor tendon sheath. Vet Surg 2025 Aug;54(6):1157-1166.
- Breen LJ, Stack JD, Gillen AM, Baldwin CM. Needle tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath in a standing equine cadaver model using a novel approach and guided palmar/plantar annular ligament desmotomy. Vet Surg 2025 Apr;54(3):524-533.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
